As the clouds clear and spring creeps in, some of the biggest names in pop and R&B descend on Vancouver this March.

Here’s a look at five can’t-miss concerts this month:

Alicia Keys, March 8 at Rogers Arena: Soulful songstress Alicia Keys is in town supporting her fifth album Girl on Fire, released in November 2012. Throughout her career – which began with the release of Songs in A Minor in 2001 – the gifted diva has sold more than 35 million albums and been recognized by Billboard as the top R&B artist of the 2000s. Keys is widely recognized for incorporating her signature classical-style piano with R&B, soul and jazz. Tickets start at $40.50.

Maroon 5, March 9 at Rogers Arena: The band with the “Moves like Jagger” rolls into Vancouver on tour for its fourth album, Overexposed, known for the hit singles Payphone and One More Night. Since forming back in 2002, the California band – which incorporates influences as diverse as Michael Jackson, The Police and Oasis – has sold more than 10 million albums. Originally known for their guitar-heavy, pop sound, Maroon 5 and frontman Adam Levine have lately incorporated more dance and electro-pop influences. Tickets start at $29.50.

Great Big Sea, March 10 at the Orpheum: Lovers of classic Canadian music are in luck as folk-rockers Great Big Sea come to Vancouver as part of their 20th anniversary tour. Hailing from Newfoundland and Labrador, the band is known for putting a rock twist on traditional folk songs – including sea shanties – that derive from the island’s Irish, Scottish and French heritage. Hit albums like 2002’s Sea of No Cares feature instruments as diverse as mandolins, bagpipes, bouzoukis, accordions, fiddles, guitar and tin whistle. Tickets start at $39.50.

Photo credit: Bart&co | Flickr

Bog Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, March 27 at Rogers Arena: Time to show off your “Night Moves.” Classic American rocker Bob Seger brings his catalogue of “Old Time Rock & Roll” hits to Rogers Arena this month. Since joining up with the Silver Bullet Band in Detroit in 1973, Seger has turned out a steady string of hit singles about blue-collar life, love and women, including Turn the Page, We’ve Got Tonight, Against the Wind (of Forest Gump fame) and Like a Rock (He also found time to write the iconic theme song Shakedown for Beverly Hills Cop II). Tickets start at $45.

Seasons 2013 Electronic Music Fest, March 30 at Pacific Coliseum: Fans of electronic music line up for this annual blowout in Pacific Coliseum. This year’s event features Scottish artist and remixer Calvin Harris, Dutch drummer Nicky Romero, progressive house DJ Michael Woods and Glasgow-born Burns. It’s an all ages event, with a beer garden. Tickets $59.50.

Any more can’t-miss concerts in Vancouver this March? Let us know below.

Inside Vancouver is a multi-author blog, written by Vancouverites about Vancouver. Our goal is to give an insider’s view of Vancouver, to provide information, stories and opinions from the locals’ perspective about this great city.